Independent study on aristotle s nicomachean ethics, indiana university, 1989 director. In this first level of friendship, people expect to derive some benefit from each other. Aristotle s observations of society in nicomachean ethics are based on his thoughts about. Michael morgan, ancient philosophy this piece is the second of a set of three papers written for an independent study undertaken during the authors second year in graduate school.
In all dissimilar 1 friendships, it is proportion, as has been said, that establishes equality and preserves the friendship. For without friends no one would choose to live, though he had all other goods. The end of aristotles nicomachean ethics declared that the inquiry into ethics necessarily follows into politics, and the two works are frequently considered to be parts of a larger treatise, or perhaps connected lectures, dealing with the philosophy of human affairs. Michael pakaluk presents the first systematic study in english of these books, showing how important aristotle s treatment of friendship is to his ethics as a whole. Aristotle points out that there is also the question of dissolving friendships when a friend proves to have changed. Learn exactly what happened in this chapter, scene, or section of nicomachean ethics and what it means.
This subject is what aristotle calls in one place the philosophy of human affairs. The ten books which comprise it are based on notes from his lectures at the lyceum and were either edited by or dedicated to aristotle s son, nicomachus. Friends are considered to be the greatest of external goods, and if a good man is supposed to be of service to. Friends are at odds when they are not friends in the way they think they are for instance, if someone pretends to like us for our character but it turns out theyre using us for personal advantage. Michael pakaluk presents the first systematic study in english of these books, showing how important aristotles treatment of friendship is to his ethics as a whole. Within, we find encounter stimulating and relevant discussions about everything from pleasure to happiness. Text remarks jt in general the owners of a commodity do not set the same price upon it as those who wish to.
Within book 8 and 9 of aristotles nicomachean ethics, he concludes that an excellent friendship is the most choiceworthy good an individual can externally attain aristotle 149, 1170a, section 7. Friendship essay on aristotles books 89 705 words cram. Aristotle s nicomachean ethics 2 books 610 virtues, selfcontrol, friendship, and pleasure. Any friendship that cant achieve this sort of proportionalitysuch as a friendship in which one person loves for pleasure and the other. Parents and children also have a natural friendship with one another, not.
Aristotle turns to a discussion of friendship, which is itself a virtue, or at least involves virtue. Plato had discussed similar themes in several dialogues, including the republic and the philebus and gorgias. Theres more drama to be had in friendships, especially when the people involved expect different things from each otherand neither is satisfied. Aristotle also addresses the difficulty of giving people thingsgifts, trust, respectas they deserve, and of what happens when your friend changes for the worse. Aristotle also addresses the difficulty of giving people thingsgifts, trust, respectas they deserve, and of what happens when.
True friends are content to wish for each other the. Aristotles nicomachean ethics 2 books 610 virtues, selfcontrol, friendship, and pleasure. Summary section 1 this section continues aristotle s discussion of friendship. With friends men are more able both to think and act.
The internet classics archive nicomachean ethics by aristotle. Independent study on aristotles nicomachean ethics, indiana university, 1989 director. The definitions of friendship in aristotles nicomachean ethics within book 8 nof aristotles nicomachean ethics, he proposes friendship is the best external good an individual can possess. Find a summary of this and each chapter of nicomachean ethics. Chapter summary for aristotles nicomachean ethics, book 8 summary.
The nicomachean ethics oxford worlds classics kindle. Aristotles politics is a work of political philosophy. There are three kinds of friendship, as we said at the outset of our inquiry, and in respect of each some are friends on an equality and others by virtue of a superiority for not only can equally good men become friends but a better man can make friends with a worse, and similarly in friendships of pleasure or utility the friends may be equal. Nicomachean ethics sometimes spelled nichomachean, is a work by aristotle on virtue and character and plays a prominent role in defining aristotelian ethics. It is said that those who are supremely happy and selfsufficient have no need of friends. Aristotle recognizes a social system that ranges from the noble in terms of virtue and wealth to the corrupt lacking moral virtue, base. This study guide consists of approximately 44 pages of chapter summaries, quotes, character analysis, themes, and more everything you need to sharpen your knowledge of nicomachean ethics. This video focuses on aristotles work, the nicomachean ethics, and examines his discussion in book 9 of the issue of selflove philautia and how it fits into his advocacy of friendship philia. In friendships with dissimilar aims, aristotle says, there has to be an equalizer of some sort.
Aristotle makes the argument that friends can be regarded as second selves. A summary of book viii in aristotle s nicomachean ethics. Chapter summary for aristotle s nicomachean ethics, book 9 summary. It consists of ten books all of them originally written as separate scrolls and is based on aristotles notes from his lectures at the lyceum, the ancient. Therefore, when one benefits someone else not because of. Nicomachean ethics by aristotle book ix summary and analysis. Aristotle says that just as virtuous behavior improves an individual, friends have the potential to generate improvements upon each others lives. Nicomachean ethics study guide contains a biography of aristotle, literature essays, a complete etext, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis. Nicomachean ethics book ix by aristotle written 350 b.
The nicomachean ethics aristotle 384 bce 322 bce, translated by thomas taylor 1758 1835 the work consists of ten books, originally separate scrolls, and is understood to be based on notes said to be from his lectures at the lyceum which were either edited by. Parents and children also have a natural friendship with one another, not only among humans, but among animal species as well. Aristotle on friendship book 8 of the nicomachean ethics. Ethics is thus for him a branch of politics, and his treatise the politics completes and makes whole the philosophy of the nicomachean ethics. Friendship in aristotles nicomachean ethics supersaturated. It suffices to recall that the nicomachean ethics, the most representative of the ethical works of aristotle, contains two complete books, books viii and ix, dedicated to friendship. Aristotles nicomachean ethics revision, book eight.
Jan 01, 1999 in books viii and ix of his masterpiece of moral philosophy, the nicomachean ethics, aristotle gives perhaps the most famous of all philosophical discussions of friendship. The internet classics archive nicomachean ethics by. Nicomachean ethics5 good judge of that subject, and the man who has received an allround education is a good judge in general. Ideas central to ethicsthat happiness is the end of human endeavor, that moral virtue is formed through action and habituation, and that good action requires prudencefound their most powerful proponent in the person medieval scholars simply called the philosopher. The nicomachean ethics is one of the greatest works of aristotle, the famous philosopher who was really much more of a scientist than a philosopher. Aristotle addresses the topic of friendship in book 8 and 9 of his nicomachean ethics. The nichomachean ethics is aristotles comprehensive deductivelogical treatise concerning the ends for which we should live. Dec 10, 2018 nicomachean ethics pdf summary the nicomachean ethics is aristotles bestknown work on ethics and, quite possibly, the most influential book on the subject ever written. In books viii and ix of his masterpiece of moral philosophy, the nicomachean ethics, aristotle gives perhaps the most famous of all philosophical discussions of friendship.
Aristotles observations of society in nicomachean ethics are based on his thoughts about. Friendship in book 8 and 9 of aristotles nicomachean ethics. According to aristotle, these are shallow and easily dissolved because individuals are seeking to essentially barter and trade a product, service, connection, or other useful thing. Nicomachean ethics 5 good judge of that subject, and the man who has received an allround education is a good judge in general. Nicomachean ethics by aristotle meet your next favorite book. The nicomachean ethics is one of aristotles most widely read and influential works. However, aristotle in chapter 3 of book 8, he asserts the finest friendships are forged through the similarities of enduring virtues. The ethics of aristotle is one half of a single treatise of which his politics is the other half. Aristotle discusses pleasure in two separate parts of the nicomachean ethics book 7 chapters 1114 and book 10 chapters 15. The nichomachean ethics is aristotle s comprehensive deductivelogical treatise concerning the ends for which we should live. It is also disputed whether the happy man will need friends or not. This is the book where he indulges in the discussion of happiness, virtue, ethics, politics, and really anything else describing the way in which human beings functioned together in the society of. Nicomachean ethics by aristotle, part of the internet classics archive.
Nicomachean ethics book ix classical wisdom weekly part 9. This video focuses on aristotles work, the nicomachean ethics, and examines his discussion in book 9 bearing on the question can a person be friends with him or herself. Its also a necessity for liferich and poor, young and old, all people need friends. Aristotle on friendship book 8 of the nicomachean ethics february 7, 2011 february 20, 2011 neel burton after what we have said, a discussion of friendship would naturally follow, since it is a virtue or implies virtue, and is besides most necessary with a view to living. However, in chapter 3 of book 8, aristotle asserts the finest friendships are enduring insofar the.
Nicomachean ethics book 9 lesson page disputes and breakups in. Aristotle on selflove and love of friends nicomachean. However, the nicomachean ethics can be read and understood on its own. In the practical syllogism, as aristotle says nicomachean ethics, vii, 3, p. Friendship is a worthy outlet for the talents and energies of greatsouled people.
Questions for reflection nicomachean ethics book 6 study with. Ross book ix 1 in all friendships between dissimilars it is, as we have said, proportion that equalizes the parties and preserves the friendship. Nicomachean ethics aristotle mcmaster faculty of social. Nicomachean ethics pdf summary aristotle 12min blog. The nicomachean ethics of friendship based on utility. Dec 17, 2016 this video focuses on aristotle s work, the nicomachean ethics, and examines his discussion in book 9 bearing on the question can a person be friends with him or herself. He begins by discussing friends with different aims, where proportion equalizes and preserves the friendship like proportionate worth in goods and services keeps political friendships or economies of exchange together. Perfect for acing essays, tests, and quizzes, as well as for writing lesson plans. Class may be based on birth and wealth, but happiness which is based on virtue is not, except incidentally.
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